Stags rack Wolves 31-12

Quarterback Joseph Dress is not expected to miss much time after going down with an ankle injury of the first quarter of Berkeley’s 31-12 win over Timberland. DAN BROWN/INDEPENDENT

Timberland Coach Art Craig didn’t mince words following the Wolves 31-12 loss to Berkeley Friday night in Moncks Corner.““You can’t turn the ball over sixteen times and expect to win football games.”The Wolves (3-2) turned the ball over six times, four interceptions and two fumbles giving Timberland 16 turnovers in the last two years against Berkeley (2-3).Berkeley’s Josh Simmons returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble, and Diamonte Harley picked off two passes. The picks give Harley six interceptions in five games for the Stags.“It was important for our defense to play well after last week,” said BHS Coach Jeff Cruce. “We stole the momentum with the turnovers and were able to put some points on the board when we needed them.”The Wolves hit the ground running as Bernard Harmon capped a seven play, 65-yard drive with a nine yard run to put Timberland on top 6-0.After both teams exchanged punts, the Stags found life, marching 70 yards in eight plays, the drive capped by a Matthew Harkness to D.J. Witherspoon 10-yard touchdown pass to put Berkeley on top 7-6 after a Vance Bailey kick.The wheels came off the Timberland wagon less than a minute later as Simmons picked off a Ryan Hood pass, the first of four interceptions on the night, and galloped untouched 56 yards for the score. Bailey’s kick made the score 14-6 with 2:23 remaining in the first quarter.“We have to have our players step up and take ownership of these games or else we’re going to keep repeating the same mistakes we make,” Craig said. “We had about an eight-minute funk in the second quarter, and I challenged the guys to come out and play hard in the second half, and they did that.“We’re just having problems putting the ball in the end zone right now.”The Stags drove the dagger in the Wolves’ heart in the second quarter when the Stags on fourth-and-eight, faked a punt, and Bailey hit Tirahn Bradford with a pass for a 36-yard gain to the Timberland four-yard line.One play later Josh Sellers drove up the middle for a touchdown. Bailey’s PAT gave the Stags a 21-6 lead heading into the locker room.Berkeley would take it to the house in the second half, adding a pair of fourth quarter scores to put the game away.Bailey showed he could score with his foot as well, connecting on a 36-yard field goal to make the score 24-6 early in the fourth quarter.Harmon added his second touchdown of the night on a three-yard run. Timberland recovered the ensuing onside kickoff but a fumble recovery by James Ancrum deep in Wolves territory killed the drive.Jamal Bowman iced the game on the next play, scoring on a 10-yard run.“Both teams played hard out there tonight,” said Cruce. “It was important to come out here and get the win with the region schedule starting next week.” The Stags travel to James Island on Oct. 3, while Timberland hosts Kingstree on Oct. 4.

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